Page 10 — Thursday, April 22, 2021 — The Hastings Banner
Cloverdale Drain Project will likely be OK’d next week – despite $2.2 million price tag
Rebecca Pierce
Editor
Barry County is likely going to take on a
$2.2 million Cloverdale Drain Project – but
the circumstances of the project were unsatis-
factory to commissioners who spoke out
during the county commissioners’ Committee
of the Whole meeting Tuesday.
The vote to recommend proceeding with
the plan was narrowly approved in a 4-3 vote,
with Commissioners Dave Jackson, Jon
Smelker and Howard Gibson opposing it.
Jackson, who lives in that district in the
Delton area, was especially outspoken about
what had been assumed to be a $600,000 proj-
ect morphing into a monster that is “400 per-
cent over budget,” he told county Drain
Commissioner Jim Dull.
“I am very conflicted with this,” Jackson
told Dull, “because you’re asking us to pledge
the good faith of the county and credit over
what I view as a train wreck of a project. As
you mention, Jim, M-43 was closed for what?
Six, eight weeks, under water.”
Then the Michigan Department of
Transportation got involved, Jackson said. “...
and you wanted to create this Cloverdale
Drain District.
“In my opinion, this was low-hanging fruit
for your office to complete,” he told Dull.
“We needed a few hundred feet of pipe to
connect Cloverdale Lake to Long Lake. ...We
needed to improve the infrastructure at the
end of Long Lake so MDOT could pump
water off M-43 and keep that open.”
Jackson said, compared to some other proj-
ects, this should have been one of the easiest.
“We built a dam on Gun Lake for $350,000,”
Jackson pointed out. “This should have prob-
ably should have been a $500,000 to $600,project.”
Jackson was incredulous about all the costs
wrapped into the project – engineering costs,
mobilization costs, tree and stump removal,
adding that he felt like this was being rail-
roaded.
“I don’t see why we’re sitting here looking
at one bid. Let’s tap the brakes and get the
best possible bid for taxpayers.”
Dull listened to Jackson’s comments and
then, when questions came back to him, he
told Jackson he agreed with him.
“The cost of this project is way over what I
would have estimated,” he said. The problem
with costs started with the state Department of
Environmental Quality (now called the
Department of Environment, Great Lakes and
Energy) which required them to install a filter
between Cloverdale and Long Lake.
“I don’t understand the sense of it,” Dull
told commissioners. “It’s to filter cabomba,
which is already in both lakes. It’s an invasive
weed. The water from Cloverdale to Long has
gone there since the beginning of time. But,
for whatever reason, the DEQ required us to
put a filter in, which I didn’t mind the $80,
for the filter. I mean I didn’t like it. I thought
it was asinine. ... But this is what DEQ
required.”
Originally, they had expected to put a sim-ple pipe from lake to lake, Dull said. “Then
the engineering work went on and on and on
and on. The DEQ gave us eight correction
requests.”
He expected a bid in the $600,000 range
and that’s what excavators thought until they
looked at the materials list. That changed the
costs.
The state requiring that filter between
Cloverdale and Long lakes “is like having
cattle and putting a really nice barn door after
the cattle are already out,” said Dull, who
mentioned that another requirement built into
the project is a five-year plan documenting
everything going forward. Dull said he may
need a full-time maintenance person to help
save money on this.
Commissioner Jon Smelker agreed with
Jackson that it may be a good idea to go back
out and seek bids again to get more competi-
tion.
But Dull cautioned against that approach.
“With this COVID thing, the cost of concrete
has doubled,” he said, noting that those costs
went up after they sought bids, so the prices
would likely be higher now.
Since this happened, Dull said they’ve had
a weeklong argument, saying, “We ain’t doing
$2 million. We ain’t taking one bid. This is a
helluva lot more expensive project than any-
body would have dreamed.”
“I agree with you, Jim,” Smelker replied.
“I’m real hesitant about one bid on a $2.
million job.
Jackson asked Dull, “So you’re agreeing
this should have been a $600,000 project?”
Dull nodded. “If I hadn’t had to put that
filter on, it could have saved almost $500,
alone,” he said.In a recommendation to proceed with the
drain improvement project, the vote was:
Commissioners Catherine Getty, Ben Geiger,
Vivian Conner and Bruce Campbell voted to
proceed, while Jackson, Smelker and Gibson
voted against the recommendation.
In other business, commissioners recom-
mended approving a resolution to authorize
the issuance of sewage wastewater treatment
bonds for the Village of Middleville. Four
bids were received for the $4,815,000 proj-
ect, which includes contingencies and engi-
neering costs. Since the village has $2,500,
on hand for the project, the amount issued
would be $2,315,000. The bonds will be
authorized for 21 years, through 2041.
The county’s bonding authority will save
the village money, Geiger noted.
“We appreciate the support of the county,”
Getty replied.
In other business, the board:- Recommended approving incumbent
members Jack Miner and Joyce Snow to two
vacancies on the planning commission
Recommended Jessica Bontrager to a citi-
zen at large two-year term on the animal
shelter advisory board. Tammy Asbury, Terri
Bourdo and Jennifer Meyer are the three other
candidates seeking to serve on that board.
Recommended the upgrade of vital records
and land records software.
legals
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:
All real estate advertising in this
newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing
Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act
which collectively make it illegal to
advertise “any preference, limitation or
discrimination based on race, color,
religion, sex, handicap, familial status,
national origin, age or martial status, or
an intention, to make any such
preference, limitation or discrimination.”
Familial status includes children under
the age of 18 living with parents or legal
custodians, pregnant women and people
securing custody of children under 18.
This newspaper will not knowingly
accept any advertising for real estate
which is in violation of the law. Our
readers are hereby informed that all
dwellings advertised in this newspaper
are available on an equal opportunity
basis. To report discrimination call the
Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980.
The HUD toll-free telephone number for
the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.Banner CLASSIFIEDS
CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-
PPOLICE BEATOLICE BEAT
For Sale
FREE- HOME QUILTING
System Little Gracie II- Par-
tially assembled. Contact
Jackie at 269-838-1263.Card of Thanks
CARD OF THANKS
Thank you to everyone,
from family and friends to
the Hastings City Police,
for the numerous birthday
cards sent to me for my
90th birthday. It was a
special birthday that I will
always remember.
Sincerely,
Kate ColvinBusiness Services
MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI-
CATION and repair, custom
trailers, buckets, bale spears,
etc. Call 269-804-7506.
BUYING ALL HARD-
WOODS: Walnut, White
Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for
pricing. Will buy single Wal-
nut trees. Insured, liability &
workman’s comp. Fetterley
Logging, (269)818-7793.
DUMP RUNS SMALL FEE
~ will do tear-downs! Fenc-
ing, Scrap metal, unwanted
appliances, Fuel oil/Propane
tanks, Old black antenna
dishes, Batteries, Automo-
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more! David: 269-203-
(cell).The Barry County Board of Commissioners’ Committee of the Whole took place in person, with masks and social distancing, in
the Leason Sharpe Hall in the Barry Community Enrichment Center in Hastings. (Photos by Rebecca Pierce)Barry County Commissioner Dave
Jackson leads a verbal charge against a
single bid for what will amount to a $2.
million Cloverdale Drain improvement
project.Chairman Ben Geiger listens to the
presentation Tuesday.Police track down hit-and-run suspect
Police were called to investigate a hit-and-run suspect at a residence in the 7000 block of
Miller Road in Hope Township at 6:11 p.m. March 22. The suspect was involved in an acci-
dent in Plainwell and had left the scene, but a witness tracked the driver to the Miller Road
residence. Police arrived to find the suspect’s vehicle in the driveway, with collision damage.
The 20-year-old driver said he “freaked out” and did know what to do after the crash, so he
went home. The man had a suspended driver’s license and an active warrant in Allegan
County. Police arrested him and turned him over to the Plainwell Police Department.Woman punches man after dog kills chinchilla
Police responded to a reported assault at another residence in the 7000 block of Miller
Road in Hope Township at 9 p.m. March 22. A 60-year-old man said he had been attacked by
a 26-year-old woman who lived at the address. The man said he got a new dog, which
attacked and killed the woman’s chinchilla. She became angry and beat the dog. He told her
to stop, but she later became angry at him and hit him in the face. The man said he did not
want to press charges. Information was sent to the prosecutor’s office.Extended family confrontation in Walmart
A 58-year-old Hastings man called police at 1:54 p.m. March 16 to report he was being
harassed at Walmart. The man said he was in the milk aisle when a 57-year-old Hastings man
came up behind him and started calling him names and threatening to beat him. The com-
plainant said he is currently going through a divorce, and the suspect is his wife’s brother. He
said the man had threatened him before, and he wanted to press charges. Soon after he called,
the suspect called to file his own complaint, alleging the complainant was the one who had
been harassing him. Information was forwarded to the prosecuting attorney’s office.Boat and trailer stolen
A 45-year-old woman reported a 14-foot aluminum boat and trailer stolen from a residence
in the 100 block of Little Long Lake Drive in Barry Township at 6:51 p.m. April 1. The
woman said these are valued at $500 and were taken from outside the residence between 11
a.m. and 5 p.m. The case is inactive.159128
SPECIAL ELECTIONNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A SPECIAL ELECTION WILL BE HELD IN THE:COUNTY OF BARRY
STATE OF MICHIGANTUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021
FOR
KALAMAZOO REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AGENCY (KRESA)THE PLACES HOLDING THE ELECTION IN SAID MUNICIPALITIES ARE
INDICATED BELOW:BARRY TOWNSHIP Precinct 1 155 East Orchard Street, Delton, MI 49046
JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP Precinct 1 13641 S. M-37, Battle Creek, MI 49017
PRAIRIEVILLE TWP. Precinct 1 1015 S. Norris Road., Delton, MI 49046TO VOTE ON THE FOLLOWING PROPOSITIONS LISTED BELOW:KRESA:
KALAMAZOO REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AGENCY (KRESA)
SPECIAL EDUCATION MILLAGE RENEWAL
AND HEADLEE RESTORATION PROPOSAL
1.5 MILLS FOR 6 YEARS
Full text of the ballot propositions may be obtained at the administrative offices of
Kalamazoo Regional Education Service Agency, 1819 East Milham Avenue, Portage,
Michigan 49002-3035, telephone: (269) 250-9202.Sample ballots may be viewed at http://www.mi.gov/vote.THE POLLS OF SAID ELECTION WILL BE OPEN AT 7 O’CLOCK A.M. AND
WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL 8 O’CLOCK P.M. ON THE DAY OF ELECTION.
_______________________________________________________________
Absent voter ballots must be mailed to voters no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday,
April 30, 2021. Registered voters may contact their local Clerk to obtain an
application for an absent voter ballot. For any other questions relating to the
election process, please contact your local Clerk:BARRY TOWNSHP Deb Knight 269-623-
JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP Sheri Babcock 269-721-
PRAIRIEVILLE TWP Rod Goebel 623-PAMELA A. PALMER, COUNTY CLERK
Barry County Drain Commissioner Jim
Dull expressed agreement with
Commissioner Dave Jackson’s criticisms
of the high cost of the project. Much of the
expense was driven by the state require-
ments, Dull said.
cipal, Mike Knapp, last December, due to the
pandemic.
Until now, Bertolini has been filling that
post, with help from other administrative
staff, but federal funding can help restore that
position.
“We will be redesigning our high school
principal position to include curriculum direc-
tor duties, which will expand the administra-
tive role to a year-round position,” Bertolini
added. “This person will supervise our assess-
ment and data coordinator as well as two
intervention teachers at the elementary level.
“We are going to be creating very inten-
tional learning for our students next year.”
Lakewood Public Schools officials expect
to receive $900 per student, for a total of
$1,580,302, and Thornapple Kellogg is set to
receive $422 per student, for a total of
$1,349,554.
But when exactly schools will receive this
funding has yet to be announced.
The state Legislature has released less than
half of the funding that was allocated to
Michigan schools last year, and this new
funding may get tied up in Lansing as well.
“It’s a waiting game,” Michigan Association
of School Boards Director of Government
Relations Jennifer Smith said. “We just would
really like to see this money being appropriat-
ed.”
Smith said school district officials are frus-
trated by the wait – especially when they
could use the funding to plan for their summer
programming and work on the next school
year’s budget.
Officials have to submit their budgets for
next school year by June 30, and they are
hoping the state will finalize how much annu-
al funding will go to districts in time for
administrators to incorporate that into their
budgets.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposed a $
raise in the $8,111 per-pupil amount that has
been allocated to schools in the last two years.
Nuremberg said the Legislature does not
often deviate significantly from the gover-
nor’s per-pupil funding proposals, but educa-
tors won’t know until the budget is finalized.
Last year, the state did not complete the
budget until the fall, after many schools had
already started classes.STIMULUS, continued
from page 1
“In my opinion, this was low-hanging fruit for your office
(the Drain Commissioner) to complete. We needed a
few hundred feet of pipe to connect Cloverdale Lake to
Long Lake. ...We needed to improve the infrastructure
at the end of Long Lake so MDOT could pump water off
M-43 and keep that open.”Dave Jackson, County Commissioner